Using the power of the sun to heat buildings and water not only helps businesses lower costs, but it reduces the amount of harmful emissions produced. The ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program is a four-year, $36 million investment to:

• Increase the use of renewable thermal energy by industry, commercial businesses and institutions
• Boost the amount of renewable thermal energy created for these sectors
• Contribute to cleaner air by helping Canadian businesses use less fossil fuel-based energy for space and water heating in buildings across the country

The ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program runs from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2011. Incentives are offered to the industrial/commercial/institutional sector to install active energy-efficient solar air and/or water heating systems. Eligible projects must be completed and commissioned within nine (9) months of the signing of a contribution agreement with NRCan. Preliminary estimates suggest that, by 2011, the program will have supported installations in about 700 buildings.

In addition, pilot projects conducted with energy utilities, energy service companies and non-governmental organizations will explore ways of making solar water heating systems more accessible to Canadian homeowners. While the program will not be offering incentives directly to homeowners, these large-scale pilot projects are designed to install solar water heating systems into several thousand homes.

ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat will also help support the growing renewable energy market by:

• Supporting the development of industry standards and certification processes
• Promoting the inclusion of new technologies in building codes and provincial and municipal regulations
• Training system designers, technicians and installers

Are there financial incentives?
ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat will offer an incentive to industrial, commercial and institutional purchasers of solar heating systems. The anticipated Incentive amount is calculated as follows: Performance Factor x Incentive Rate x Area of Collector.

Who is eligible for incentives?
Businesses, industries and public institutions are eligible.

Are there terms and conditions for eligibility?
Yes, certain terms and conditions apply.

How do I apply?
To apply, please consult the guidance document, the terms and conditions and complete the solar water application form or the solar air application form.

All forms must be signed and sent to Natural Resources Canada by fax to 613-943-6517 or by mail to the following address not later than October 31, 2010:

ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat
Renewable and Electrical Energy Division
Natural Resources Canada
615 Booth Street, Room 150, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0E9

You can see the list of accepted solar collectors here.

Want more information?

If you have questions or need additional information on the terms and conditions, please contact the ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat program by e-mail (ecoenergyrhp@nrcan.gc.ca) or by fax (613-943-6517).

To request more information on ecoACTION initiatives:

• Phone: 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232)
• TTY: 1 800 926-9105

PLEASE NOTE: ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat provides funding only for Canadian industries, businesses and institutions.  If you are a homeowner interested in renewable energy technologies, please visit the following web sites.